Washing machine



March 14, 1939.

R. w. SCOTT WASHING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 6, 1937 ATTORNEYS.

March 14, 1939.

R. W. SCOTT WASHING MACHINE Filed July 6, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

RAY M56077 601)??? A TTORNEYE Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES2,160,638 wasnme MACHINE Ray W. Scott, Detroit, Mich, assignor to BendixHome Appliances, Ina, Detroit, Micln, a corporation of DelawareApplication July 6, 1937, Serial No. 152,114

15 Claims.

This invention relates to multiple-speed machines such as washingmachines, and is illustrated as embodied in such a machineoperatedautomatically according to a predetermined cycle 5 to wash the clothesat a relatively low speed and then (after draining) to dry them bydriving the work receptacle at a much higher speed to exfiact the watercentrifugally.

If a machine of this general character happens 1n tostop, for examplebecause of the blowing of a fuse or other current failure, when it isset for high speed operation, then ordinarily when the current comes onagain the machine attempts to start up directly in high speed again.This not 15 only throws a great strain on the drive mechanism, but wheresome kinds of motors are used it may throw a heavy current through thestarting winding of the motor and severely damage the motor. v

An object of the present invention is to prevent high-speed operation ofsuch a machine from a standing start, preferably by providing meansinsuring that the machine must be operating substantially in its usuallow-speed range before the 5 transmission can be shifted into high gear,for example by providing the speed-change circuit with a safety devicesuch as a centrifugal cutout switch or the like in series with thespeed-change control device so that the latter cannot be operated belowa predetermined speed.

This safety device, when used with a motor having starting and-runningwindings, may advantageously be utilized also to cut out the startingwinding when the motor has attained a definite speed.

Another feature of the invention, when embodied in a washing machine,relates to combining such a safety device with means preventingaccidental high-speed operation of the machine 0 when it is full ofwater.

The above and other objects and features of the invention, includingvarious novel combinations of parts and desirable particularconstructions,

will be apparent from the following description 5 of the illustrativeembodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a vertical section through the machine;

Figure 2 is a horizontal section through the 0 motor-transmission driveunit of the machine;

Figure 3 is a wiring diagram of the machine in the starting position;and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of parts of Figure 3 in their runningpositions. The machine illustrated in an automatic washing machinecomprising a generally cylindrical tub l0 arranged with its axishorizontal, and secured by straps or the like l2 to saddles l4 mountedon a base I6. Panels l8 form an inclosing housing for the machine.

Rotatably'journaled within the tub I0 is a perforated drum or clothesreceptacle 20 having. at one end a shaft 22 journaled in bearings 24carried by two conical disks 26 arranged face to face and peripherallysecured together to form one end of the tub Ill. The clothes may beinserted through an opening in the end of the tub Ill and an alinedopening in the end of the receptacle 20, after opening a glazed door 28pivoted on the tub I0. The receptacle 20 is provided with baffles 30 fortumbling the clothes during washing. A door 32 at the top of the machineis provided for the introduction of soap powder or the like into themachine.

Wash water is introduced into the machine through an inlet line 34 fromsuitable hot and .cold water .lines provided with inlet valves 36controlled by solenoids 38 and 40, and is drawn off through a drain 42having a valve 44 controlled by a solenoid 46. The water beingintroduced is cut off at a predetermined level by introducing in thecircuit of the inlet solenoids 38 and 40 a switch 48 (Figure 3)controlled by a-fioat 50 in a float chamber 52 communicating with thetub l6.

Preferably the float 56 also controls a safety switch 54 connected, asdescribed below, to prevent high-speed operation so long as the machineis full of water. The circuit for the cold water valve solenoid 40contains a thermostatic 'switch 56 controlled/by the temperature of themixed water entering the machine.

The machine is driven, at low speed during a washing and at high speedduring extraction, by means shown as a motor 58 arranged in a unit witha two-speed transmission 60 connected by abelt 62 or otherwise to theshaft 22.

The machine, after once being set in operation, is driven automaticallyaccording to a predetermined cycle under the control of a multipleswitch 64. This switch includes a shaft 66, driven through suitablereduction gears by a small constant-speed motor 66, and carrying aseries of cams 10 arranged to open and. close contacts or switches 12,14, i6, 18, and 86, controlling parallel circuits I12, I74, I16, I18,and I8!) between electric supply lines 82 and 64. Bywarying the Shapesof the cams 10 the sequence of steps in, and the timing of, the cyclemaybe predetermined as desired.

For washing some fabrics such as'cottons, a

cycle in which all hot water is admitted at some times and mixed waterat other times is desirable and to obtain this cycle the hot and coldwater in let valves are controlled independently by the switches 16 and18. However, for washing fabrics such as woolens it is desirable to havemixed water at all times so a switch 86 is provided between the circuitsI16 and I10 so that when it is closed the cold water valve solenoid 40is energized whenever the hot water'valve solenoid 38 is energizedregardless of whether switch 18 is closed or open.

Except as further described below, the abovedescribed machine may besubstantially as fully described, and as claimed, in application No.129,429, filed March 6, 1937, by Rex Earl Bassett,

Jr., and John W. Chamberlin, and in application machine. It has itsarmature shaft 92 arranged to drive the two-speed transmission 60, theparticular speed being determined by the energization or de-energizationof a solenoid 94 having its core yieldingly connected to a gear-shiftlever 98.

The particular transmission illustrated is fully described, and isclaimed, in application No. 144,998, filed May 27, 1937, by myselfjointly with Andrew 0. McCollum. ,The armature shaft 92 has pinion teeth98 driving at low speed through a large gear I00 a countershaft I02which carries a pulley driving the belt I52. The gear I00 has a one-waydrive to the shaft I02, so the shaft may over-run the gear in high speeddrive. The oneway drive shown includes a clutch spring I04= anchored toa pin I06 carried by gear I00, and encircling a cylindrical boss on oneside oi a smaller gear I08 keyed to the shaft I02.

The gear I08 meshes with a gear II 0 loose on the shaft 90, and formedin one face with an annular double-cone recess for clutch shoes II2keyed to a clutch member I I4 keyed to the shaft 92 and backed up by theend of the pinion teeth 98. The gear-shift lever 96 operates an axiallymovable plunger IIB slidable in a bearing in the transmission housing inalinement with the shaft 92, and provided with a thrust ball bearing II8 engaging the face of gear IIO opposite the clutch I member II4.

Thus energization of solenoid 94 shifts the plunger II B to clutch thegear I I0 to the shaft 92, giving high-speed drive, with the shaft I02over-running the gear I00.

If the machine as so far described should stop with the cam I0 01 thecircuit I14 in a position closing the contacts I4 (1. e. in high speedposition) due for example to current failure, whether due to blowing afuse or other cause, it might cause a great deal of damage by startingup again (when the current comes on) from a standing start in high gear.It is an important object of the present invention to prevent this.

In one desirable arrangement for achieving this object, the armatureshaft 92 has keyed thereto a carrier I24 for pivoted weights I26, whichat a predetermined motor speed swing radially outward against theresistance of springs I28. The weights I26 have extensions with roundedends seated in a groove formed peripherally in an operating part I30sleeved on the armature shaft 92, whereby part I30 is moved axially ofthe armature shalt by radial movement of the weights I26.

The motor is provided with axially spaced stationary switches such asresilient contacts I02 and I34, the former being connected in serieswith the starting winding 88, and the latter being connected in serieswith the safety switch 54, and the speed-control solenoid 94 in thecircuit I14. Between these stationary contacts is mounted a resilientmovable double contact I36 connected to the line 84, and which engagesthe part I30 and is held by the latter, when the motor is at rest,against the resistance of a spring I38, against the contact I32.

When the motor starts up, at the proper speed the weights I26 shift thepart I30 far enough to permit the spring I38 to break the contacts I32-I36, thereby de-energizing the starting winding 88. When the motorattains substantially, or at least is not much below, normal speed,contact I36 engages the contact I34. If at this time all the water isout of the tub and switch 54 is consequently closed, as soon as theswitch 14 is closed the solenoid 94 is energized, causing high-speedoperation.

If there is a stoppage of the machine with switches 14 and 54 closed,upon the current coming on again the transmission has to remain in lowuntil the motor has speeded the load up enough to close the contactsI36--I34, whereupon the transmission automatically shifts back into highagain.

While one illustrative embodiment has been described in detail, it isnotmy intention to limit the scope of the invention to that particularembodiment, or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim: I

1. A washing machine or the like having a work receptacle and a motorand connections from the motor for driving the receptacle either at lowor at high speed, and electrical control means for automatically causingsaid machine to operate according to a predetermined cycle and includingmeans for controlling said connections to cause the driving of saidreceptacle at diilerent times in said cycle at said different speeds,said lastnamed means including a device preventing operation of saidconnections at high speed unless the receptacle is already being drivenby said motor through said connections at said low speed.

2. A washing machine or the like having a work receptacle and a motorand connections from the motor for driving the receptacle either at lowor at high speed, and means for controlling said connections to causethe driving of said receptacle at difierent times at said diil'erentspeeds, said means including a device preventing operation of saidconnections at high speed unless the receptacle is already being drivenby said motor through said connections at said low speed.

3. A washing machine or the like having a work receptacle and a motorand connections from the motor for driving the receptacle either at lowor at high speed, and electrical control means for automatically causingsaid machine to operate according to a predetermined cycle and includingmeans for controlling said connections to cause the driving of saidreceptacle at different times in said cycle at said different speeds,said connections including a transmission normally in low-speed positionand having an electrical device for shifting it into high speedposition, and said electrical control means including a control circuithaving interposed therein in series mimosa motor for driving thereceptacle either at low or at high speed, and means for controllingsaid' connections to cause the driving or said receptacle at differenttimes at said different speeds,

said connections including a transmission nor-- mally in low-speedposition and having an electrical device for shifting it into high speedposition, and said means including a control circuit having interposedtherein in series said electrical device and a centrifugal switch closedby the motor when it reaches a predetermined speed.

5. A washing machine or the like comprising a tub, a work receptacle inthe tub, a float controlled by the level of the liquid in the tub, amotor, connections including a multiple-speed transmission for drivingthe receptacle from said motor, liquid supplying and withdrawing meanshaving control valves provided with electrical operating devices, anelectrical operating device for shifting said transmission from low tohigh speed, and a cyclic multiple switch for causing automatic operationof the machine and having associated therewith and automatically'openedand closed thereby control circuits through said electrical operatingdevices, the control circuit through the transmission-shifting operatingdevice having interposed therein a switch automatically closed when themotor is at or above a predetermined speed, and said float havingoperatively connected thereto and open when said tub is full, switchesinterposed respectively in said last-named control circuit and in thecircuit for the liquid-supplying valve operating device.

6. A'washing machine or the like comprising a tub, a work receptacle inthe tub, a float controlled by the level of the liquid in the tub, amotor, connections including a multiple-speed transmission for drivingthe receptacle from said motor, liquid supplying and withdrawing meanshaving control valves provided with electrical operating devices, anelectrical operating device for shifting said transmission from low tohigh speed, and a cyclic multiple switch for causing automatic operationof the machine and having associated therewith and automatically openedand closed thereby control circuits through said electrical operatingdevices, the control circuit through the transmission-shifting operatingdevice having interposed therein in series a switch automatically closedwhen the motor is at or above a predetermined speed and a switch openedby said float when the tub containsliquid.

7. A washing machine or the like comprising a work receptacle,connections including a multiple.

speed transmission 'for driving the receptacle, a motor for driving saidconnectionshaving a starting winding and a running winding, a controlcircuit including an electrical device for shifting the transmissionfrom low to high speed and including a switch device in seriestherewith, a circuit for said motor, and a device includingspeedresponsive means for closing the motor circuit through bothwindings and for opening the switch device when the motor is below apredetermined speed and for opening the motor circuit through thestarting winding while leaving. it closed through the running windingand for closing the switch device when the motor is above said speed.

8. A washing machine or the like comprising a work receptacle,connections including a multiplespeed transmission'ior driving thereceptacle, a'

motor for driving said connections having a starting winding and arunning winding and having a circuit closed through said windings inparallel when the machine is running, a control circuit including anelectrical device for shifting the transmission from low to high speedand including a pair of separable contacts in series therewith, and acentrifugal cut-out device for separating said contacts when the motoris below a predetermined speed and for opening the motor circuit throughthe starting winding while leav ing it closed through the runningwinding and for closing said contacts when the motor is above saidspeed.

9. A machine such as a washing machine comprising a motor havingassociated running and starting circuits and machine-driving connectionsdriven by the motor and including a multiplespeed transmission, meansfor shifting the transmission from low to a higher speed, andspeedcontrolled means preventing the operation of the shifting meansbelow a predetermined motor speed, said starting circuit including aswitch closed by said means below said predetermined speed and opened bysaid means above said predetermined: speed.

10. A machine such as a washing machine comprising a motor havingassociated running and starting circuits and machine-driving connectionsdriven by the motorand including a multiplespeed transmission, means forshifting the transmission from low to a higher speed, andspeedcontrolled means driven by said connections and preventing theoperation of the shifting means associated with the motor and below apredetermined speed, said starting circuit including a switch closed bysaid means below said predetermined speed and opened by said means abovesaid predetermined speed.

11. A machine such as a washing machine comprising a motor andmachine-driving connections driven by the motor and including amultiplespeed transmission, a control circuit having associatedtherewith and energized thereby means for shifting the transmission fromlow to a higher speed, and a centrifugal switch interposed in saidcircuit and holding it open below a predetermined spee 12. A drive unitcomprising a motor having starting and running windings and amultiplespeed transmission driven by said motor, parallel circuitsthrough said windings with a normallyclosed switch in thestarting-winding circuit, means for shifting the transmission from lowto high speed and having an electrical control and a normally-openswitch in series therewith, and speed-controlled means effective as thespeed increases to open the first switch and close the second switch.

13. A drive unit comprising a motor having starting and running windingsand a multiplespeed transmission driven by said motor, parallel circuitsthrough said windings with normallyclosed spring contacts in thestarting-winding circuit, means for shifting the transmission from lowto high speed and having an electrical control and normally-open springcontacts in series therewith,'and speed-controlled means effective asthe speed increases to separate the first contacts and force the secondcontacts together.

14. A machine such as a washing machine comprising a motor andmachine-driving connections driven by the motor and including amultiplespeed transmission, a control circuit having asclosed switch inthe starting-winding circuit, means for shifting the transmission fromlow to high speed and having an electrical control and a normally-openswitch in series therewith, and speed-controlled means effective as thespeed increases to open the first switch and ciosethe second switch,said means comprising a centrifugal cutout driven by the armature shaft01 the motor.

RAY W. SCOTT.

CERTIFICATE OF CORHECTIQN t Patent No. 2,150, 658.

More ch 1b., 195 9 my w. soo'i'iu It is hereby certified thaterroreppearrs in "the printed specification of the above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: Page 3, second column, line 22, claim),after the word "means" insert associated with the motorand; line 36,claim 10,

strike out "associated with the motor and" and insert the some after"means", lino some claim; and izlint the said Letters Patent should beread with this correction therein that the some may conform to therecord of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day Of H 27 A. 1).. 1959.

(Seal) Henry Wen iireciele Acting Commissioner of Patents.

